By Eric Landwaart, Industry Director, Financial Services There are many drivers of innovation in the insurance sector, but it is technology that has been the most disruptive force. From automation to media fragmentation, new distribution models to wearables and implantables, what does technology mean for the future of the insurance industry and the Connected Consumer it serves? Technology players We are all familiar with the evolution and revolution that new technologies can bring to a sector. In insurance specifically, there are now innovative ways of assessing risk and handling claims, value chains and distribution models, and a whole new layer of competitors to contend with. Consumers have become more demanding and savvy, and reaching them has become harder as more media channels have emerged. Insurance companies need to find their purpose - and profit - in the future, to identify and optimize emerging opportunities and to harness emerging technology. Other corporates Insurance companies Fintechs
Learning from others successes There are four groups who have the potential to win tomorrow: insurance companies of course as the incumbents in the sector with their advantages of huge client bases and investment power. But there are also other corporates such as energy or automotive players, the technology giants such as Google, and start-ups in the financial industry, the fintechs. We ve been tracking how brands and organizations in these four different groups have been able to maximize the latest technology in the insurance sector. Some of our favorites are: Insurance companies: BIMA in Uganda offers micro-insurance for life, accident and health to low income families via their mobile phones, a group of clients previously unreached and so until now unserved by the industry. Other corporates: Opel On Star, a connected car that comes with integrated insurance, bringing the benefits of convenience and confidence to car owners. Technology players: Google s Bharat Saves, a joint project involving the technology player, the Indian government and other financial players. It offers a financial planning tool for Indians available via an app or website. Fintechs Thailand s Claim Di, a clever app that can gather and store all the relevant information at the site of a car accident if both parties have it installed.
All four groups have strengths as these innovations show, and a common theme in many of the examples here is finding the right partnerships. For some insurance organizations, partnering and collaborating with other players represents unchartered territory. However, this way of working also offers opportunities to maximize experience and assets in order to win in the future in what is a rapidly moving and complex sector. Confrontation Matrix: all of the four categories have strong points The innovations we ve selected to highlight have also tapped into unmet consumer needs. In our analysis based on thousands of interviews with consumers across the globe annually, we identify recurring key themes that really matter to people and then we match them to opportunities for the insurance industry. From Safe and secure, to Sense of wellbeing we help ensure that technological advancements and new products are put into the context of what real people need. As the Confrontation Matrix shows, all of the four groups have the potential to meet those needs in some ways, but it is only by partnering that they will fulfil all of them. Safe & Secure House to Home Considered Consumption Instant Everywhere Sense of Wellbeing Redefining Value Satisfaction Financials Technology firms Other corporates FinTech start-ups
In insurance, no one group of players will win tomorrow, but by partnering all have the opportunity to have a key role to play. Insurance companies can be at the heart of that future. We can help you maximize your chance to succeed by supporting your partnership strategy, keeping customer needs at the center of your business, maximizing data, and optimizing new technology. Get in touch: Eric.Landwaart@gfk.com
GfK is the trusted source of relevant market and consumer information that enables its clients to make smarter decisions. More than 13,000 market research experts combine their passion with GfK s long-standing data science experience. This allows GfK to deliver vital global insights matched with local market intelligence from more than 100 countries. By using innovative technologies and data sciences, GfK turns big data into smart data, enabling its clients to improve their competitive edge and enrich consumers experiences and choices. www.gfk.com GfK. Growth from Knowledge